This one-of-a-kind beast was originally built by one of the most notorious Baja-racing legends; Bill Stroppe. The owner and idea-man, however was a successful Businessman, named Karl Webber. In much the same manner as Frankenstein was created, Karl Webber and partner, Bill Stroppe created a monster from a 1958 Ford Edsel capable of conquering the tortures of the Mexican 1000. Stroppe kept the Edsel as stock looking as possible while adding a NASCAR-style cage and race amenities. Weighing in at 4,000 lbs., and strapped with a 360-Horsepower 390-cubic-inch engine, this wild machine was quite capable of blasting down a graded road at over 100 mph. It’s initial race was the ’72 Mexican 1000 and driver Phil Torres gave it his best shot but was unfortunately forced to quit when the front suspension took a beating it couldn’t survive.  While not the most successful of competitors, this unique racing icon eventually captured a second place win— ironically, only a day before the death of owner Karl Webber. After it’s retirement the Edsel, was somehow abandoned near Webber’s manufacturing plant. In 1989, Ray Swift found the old Edsel, nearly destroyed by a passing train, and decided to give it a new life. After several years of painstaking restoration, the Baja Beast was finally received historic glory it deserved. The car now lives in the collection of other Legendary Swift Race Vehicles.